Manson plans to rock Denver despite pleas

Published: Saturday, June 16, 2001

Associated Press

DENVER {AP} Marilyn Manson, the ghoulish shock rocker whose lyrics some believe influenced the two teen-age gunmen in the Columbine bloodbath, has rejected pleas from victims' families and the governor to cancel a concert in Denver next week.

"I am truly amazed that after all this time, religious groups still need to attack entertainment and use these tragedies as a pitiful excuse for their own self-serving publicity," Manson said on his Web site.

He did not return calls for comment.

Manson, known for his ghastly, cadaverous look, has not performed in the area since the 1999 attack in which Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 Columbine High School classmates and a teacher and wounded 23 others before killing themselves.

Some Columbine students have said the two gunmen were influenced by Manson's macabre lyrics. People who knew the killers denied that.

After the attack, Manson issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims. In an article that appeared later, he said he and other entertainers were being blamed unfairly for the shootings.

Nearly 4,000 people have signed an online petition urging Manson to cancel his appearance Thursday at Mile High Stadium.

"I think he promotes suicide, and with him promoting suicide, he encourages people to kill as many people as they can before committing suicide  very similar to what happened at Columbine," said Brian Rohrbough, whose son, Daniel, was killed.

Manson's appearance has also drawn opposition from Gov. Bill Owens and an organization called Citizens for Peace and Respect. Jason Janz, a youth pastor who formed the organization about six weeks ago, said Manson's music promotes suicide, death, drug use, violence and hatred.

"We're not saying he caused Columbine, but we're saying he legitimizes and encourages that kind of behavior," Janz said.

Manson said that during his performance next week, he plans to balance songs with Bible stories of disease, murder, adultery, suicide and child sacrifice. "Now that seems like 'entertainment' to me," he said.